Petunia plant named ‘KLEPH14245’

ABSTRACT

A new  petunia  plant particularly distinguished by having a violet-blue flower color and a semi-trailing plant habit, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Petunia hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘KLEPH14245’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of petunia,botanically known as Petunia hybrida and hereinafter referred to by thevariety name ‘KLEPH14245’. ‘KLEPH14245’ is a selection from across-pollination of the female petunia line ‘PH-2001-U282’ commerciallyknown as variety ‘Famous Light Blue’ or ‘U 282’, also known as‘KLEC02061’ (unpatented) and the commercial male petunia line SurfinaPerfume Blue, also known as ‘Sunsurblue’ (patent status unknown).

In July of 2010 the proprietary female petunia line ‘PH-2001-U282’ andthe proprietary male petunia line Surfina Perfume Blue were crosspollinated in Latina, Italy and seeds were obtained. The seeds were sownand plants were grown for evaluation. A plant line was selected in April2011 in Latina, Italy and named ‘KLEPH14245’. In April 2011,‘KLEPH14245’ was first vegetatively propagated by terminal tip cuttingsin Latina, Italy. ‘KLEPH14245’ was found to reproduce true to type insuccessive generations of asexual propagation via tissue culture andterminal tip cuttings.

SUMMARY

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new variety when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Latina, Italy.

-   -   1. Violet-blue flower color; and    -   2. A semi-trailing plant habit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new petunia plant is illustrated by the accompanying photograph,which shows the plant grown in a pot. The plant is about 3 months-oldgrown in Stuttgart, Germany in May 2013.

The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained byconventional photographic procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘KLEPH14245’. The data which define thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inLatina, Italy. Data was collected on twelve-week-old plants grownindoors in Latina, Italy under greenhouse conditions in February 2015.Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), 5^(th) edition (2007).

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Solanaceae.        -   Species.—Petunia hybrida.        -   Common name.—Petunia.        -   Variety.—‘KLEPH14245’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female.—Commercial petunia line ‘PH-2001-U282’.        -   Male.—Commercial petunia line Surfina Perfume Blue also            known as ‘Sunsurblue’.-   Plant:    -   -   Form.—Vigorous growth.        -   Habit.—Semi-trailing.        -   Height (from top of soil).—5.0 cm.        -   Width (horizontal plant diameter).—20.0 cm.        -   Propagation.—Terminal tip cuttings.        -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant.—About 14 weeks            in winter under short day conditions, 7 weeks in spring.        -   Time to initiate and develop roots.—2 to 3 weeks.        -   Root description.—Moderate density, moderate branching,            white roots.-   Stems:    -   -   Average number (basal).—11.        -   Length of basal branches (from the base of the stem to the            tip).—9.5 cm.        -   Internode length.—0.8 cm to 1.5 cm.        -   Diameter of branches (from midpoint).—0.4 cm.        -   Stem color.—RHS 144D.        -   Anthocyanin.—Absent.        -   Texture.—Tomentose.-   Leaves:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Length.—4.3 cm.        -   Width.—2.2 cm.        -   Shape.—Elliptic.        -   Apex.—Broadly acuminate.        -   Base.—Attenuate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Immature leaf color.—Upper surface: RHS 146A. Lower surface:            RHS 146B. Mature leaf color: Upper surface: RHS 137B. Lower            surface: RHS 146B. Texture: Upper and lower surfaces:            Slightly pubescent. Venation pattern: Arcuate. Venation            color: Upper and lower surfaces: RHS 145A. Petioles: Length:            0.5 cm. Diameter: 0.2 cm. Color: RHS 144C. Texture:            Tomentose.-   Flower bud:    -   -   Shape.—Irregular oblong.        -   Length.—3.5 cm to 4.3 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.5 cm.        -   Color at tight bud.—RHS 92A and RHS 145B.        -   Texture.—Slightly pubescent.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Blooming habit (flowering season).—Permanent flowering            during summertime.        -   Inflorescence type.—Cymose.        -   Number of flowers per node.—2.        -   Lastingness of individual blooms on the plant.—7 to 10 days.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Flowers.—Arrangement: Composed of 5 petals fused at the            base. Shape: Funnel form. Diameter (flower face): 5.5 cm.            Depth (total length of flower): 6.0 cm. Throat/Funnel:            Length: 2.5 cm. Diameter (at opening): 1.0 cm. Texture:            Inner and outer surfaces: Smooth, glabrous. Color, immature            flower: Face/Margin: Darker than RHS N88. Upper surface:            Darker than RHS N88. Lower surface: RHS 90B. Color, mature            flower: Face/Margin color: RHS 90C. Upper surface: RHS 90C.            Lower surface: RHS 90D.        -   Petals.—Apex: Mucronate. Base: Fused. Margin: Entire.            Strength of waviness: Weak. Degree of lobation: Medium weak.        -   Calyx arrangement.—Actinomorphic, composed of 5 sepals.        -   Sepals.—Color: Upper surface: RHS 146A. Lower surface: RHS            146B. Length: 1.2 cm. Width: 0.3 cm. Shape: Linear. Apex:            Acute. Base: Attenuate. Margin: Entire. Texture: Upper and            lower surfaces: Slightly pubescent.        -   Pedicels.—Color: RHS 144A. Length: 2.0 cm. Diameter: 0.1 cm.            Texture: Pubescent.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Quantity: 5. Shape: Needle like with elliptic head.            Filament: Length: 1.8 cm to 2.2 cm. Diameter: 0.02 cm.            Color: RHS 149D. Anther: Shape: Elliptic. Color: RHS N200D.            Length: 0.25 cm. Diameter: 0.15 cm. Pollen: Color: RHS 156A.            Amount: Moderate.        -   Pistils.—Quantity per flower: 1. Length: 2.2 cm. Stigma            color: RHS 139B. Style color: RHS 145B.-   Fruit and seed set: None observed.-   Disease and pest/insect resistance: None observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND KNOWN VARIETY

‘KLEPH14245’ is a distinct variety of petunia. ‘KLEPH14245’ isdistinguished from its parents as described in Table 1:

TABLE 1 Comparison with Parental Lines Variety Female parent Male ParentTrait ‘KLEPH14245’ ‘PH-2001-U282’ Surfina Perfume Blue Flower colorViolet-blue Purple-violet Purple-violet

‘KLEPH14245’ is most similar to the commercial petunia plant namedSurfina Perfume Blue also known as ‘Sunsurblue’ (patent status unknown).Differences between the two varieties are described in Table 2:

TABLE 2 Comparison with Similar Variety Variety Commercial line Trait‘KLEPH14245’ Surfina Perfume Blue Flower color Violet-blue Purple-violet

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of petunia plant named‘KLEPH14245’ as illustrated and described herein.